Koelnmesse again ranks as the industry leader in a reputation ranking among German major trade fairs. This is the result of the study “Germany's Most Desirable Employers 2025”, conducted and published by the F.A.Z. Institute in collaboration with the analysis company ServiceValue. After the trade fair company was already twice voted "Company of the Year" by FOCUS MONEY and DEUTSCHLAND TEST, it now also emerges as the winner among German trade fairs in this ranking list.
"I see this award as another confirmation for us as a company and employer, but also for our employees. Together we live out the special spirit of our family-friendly and sustainable corporate culture in everyday working life. Moreover, the ranking reflects the success of our strategy to continuously develop processes and structures with the aim of improving internal cooperation and strengthening employee satisfaction through individual training and career prospects," emphasizes Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse.
The analysis behind “Germany's Most Desirable Employers 2025”
The study “Germany's Most Desirable Employers 2025” is based on monitoring of media sources and social media contributions. Initially, all texts containing relevant search terms are collected from the net. Subsequently, an artificial intelligence fragments and analyzes the collected data. During the investigation period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025, about 28.5 million mentions related to approximately 16,000 companies were identified and evaluated. The dimensions of employer performance, management, economic, product and service performance, as well as family-friendliness and sustainability, were evaluated.
In addition to the social media monitoring, ServiceValue analysts sent a structured online questionnaire to the companies. The questionnaire covers seven topics: job security, working hours, salary structure, development and training opportunities, communication, family-friendliness, and additional benefits. In each category, a maximum of 100 points can be achieved. The point values from the social media monitoring and the questionnaire are combined to form a total point value. This calculation is performed on a sector-specific basis on a scale of 0 to 100 points. The winner receives 100 points, setting the benchmark for all other companies studied.
"A long-term satisfactory and productive working relationship is always based on reciprocity," comments Dr. Claus Dethloff, Managing Director of ServiceValue GmbH, adding that "employers who expect top performance from their employees should also deliver themselves and offer an all-around attractive working environment." Considering the full score of 100 points in the ranking of the "Most Desirable Employer 2025" study, Koelnmesse has evidently delivered and offers its employees an attractive working environment in all respects.
Koelnmesse employs 939 people in Cologne-Deutz and 225 in its ten subsidiaries worldwide. Additionally, it trains eight to ten apprentices each year.
Find out more about Koelnmesse here.